"friendship," so to speak, with the Poshekhonskian Mensheviks.

In Russia there is taking place a process of restoration and strengthening of the Marxist workers' party.

The discussions and resolutions, which arouse in the author such myopic mockery, have gigantic educational and organizational significance. "They're shouting hurrah" — the author jeers — a purely liberal irony, the irony of an intellectual completely severed from the workers' movement. Why then is it that in no other opposition party in Russia do local groups of party members discuss the party's internal disagreements openly?? Why??

The author stands on some sentimental-hysterical point of view. In the resolutions — there is the mightiest process of consolidation of the workers' party — for no one in the world will compel workers to make a choice between two hurrahs (the hurrah of party men and the hurrah of liquidators) except through conscious sympathy and analysis of tendencies. Behind the somewhat crude form of proletarian "brawling" not to see the gigantic ideological and organizational significance of the workers' class struggle over 2 tendencies — this is phenomenal blindness. I cannot imagine a better explanation for the author of this blindness than his isolation and his "captivity" by the Menshevik-scoundrel gang.

The author absolutely did not understand the reference to the workers' curia. 47% — 50% — 67% in the 2nd-3rd-4th Dumas*. Is this not a fact?? What has the "reactionary nature of the curias" to do with it (which rogues and Burenins cry about from the pages of the "New Workers' Gazette" to divert attention)?? Was not the law equally reactionary, in the sense of equally curial, in all three?? Even an infant would understand that the reactionary nature of the curias has nothing to do with it. And the fact remains: the intelligentsia departed (that's where they belong), the workers themselves got to their feet against the liquidators. A new historical period. A new epoch. And the author invents a "middle line" — this would be funny, if it were not so sad. The author has understood 1/100th of the depth of the struggle

* Successive growth of the number of Bolsheviks in the workers' curias of the II, III and IV State Dumas. — Ed.

with the liquidators. One cannot restore the party except against the liquidators. Now the workers themselves have understood this.

In the month from October 20 to November 2 — 4,800 signatures (N.B.) for the 6th and 2,500 for the 7th (including 1,000 from the Bund. N.B.! N.B.!). Is this not a fact?? This is a fact, and not intelligentsia whining-s! This is not a party, if you please, because there is no "unity" and there is no "congress"!!! Ha-ha!! There will be no unity with the liquidators and with the Bundists — it's time to understand this and stop contemplating the irrevocably departed past. A congress is devilishly difficult (that's why the party-wreckers refer "to the congress" as if ad kalendas graecas!*). These signatures are precisely the new form of the old party. And this cannot be understood??

The old national "federation of the worst type" has departed forever. The author does not understand this either.

The equal rights of 6 and 7 (the author speaks in vain about the 8th, for the party does not recognize it at all as a social-democrat**) — the author understands incorrectly. Why should the party not grant equal rights to a near-party group in the Duma??*** The author did not understand the most serious significance of the concept of "near-party."

Our journal is not an almanac, but a combat organ. Therefore, there can be no question of publishing the article and speech. But I would be very glad to see the author's objections to my criticism, as I would generally be exceedingly glad of any exchange of opinions with old friends. If I have "overstated" something in this criticism and sometimes expressed myself not very politely — I ask your indulgent forgiveness. I did not wish to offend you, on my word, but in the name of old friendship I laid out "in simplicity" everything I think and have thought.

How magnificently the campaign for the 6th against the 7th has unfolded! What wonderful consolidation and education of workers against liberal workers' politicians! What an excellent, first example in Russia, that the workers' party truly decides the fate of its own

* — they postpone it to a time that will never come! — Ed.

** Reference is to E. I. Yagello. — Ed.

*** This does not restrict the party in any way; this can educate the near-party.